Fliptech hookah bowl system and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention includes a puck unit that can be included in a hookah bowl system or a hookah water pipe assembly. The puck unit is configured to receive a tobacco-like consumable product for use in a hookah assembly. The puck unit comprises a puck base that at least partially defines a cavity that is configured to receive a tobacco-like consumable product. The puck unit further comprises a puck lid releasably attached to the puck base. The puck lid defines an upper surface that partially defines the cavity when the puck lid is attached to the puck base.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/464,502, which was filed Mar. 21, 2017, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/311,152, which was filed Mar. 21, 2016, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed invention is in the field of devices suitably configured for using tobacco and related products that can be inhaled, such as shisha.

BACKGROUND

A hookah, also known as a pneumatic water pipe (“water pipe”), is a single or multi-stemmed instrument for vaporizing and smoking flavored tobacco called shisha in which the vapor or smoke is passed through a water basin—often glass-based—before inhalation. Health risks of smoking hookah include exposure to toxic chemicals that are not filtered out by the water and risk of infectious disease when hookahs are shared.

FIG. 1 (Prior Art) depicts a traditional hookah, which consists of a number of components, as described. The bowl is a container, usually made out of clay, marble, or glass that holds the coal and tobacco during a smoking session. The bowl is loaded with tobacco then covered by a screen or perforated aluminum foil. Lit coals are then placed on top of the screen, which allows the tobacco within the bowl to heat to the proper temperature.

Traditional hookahs also include a windscreen that sits over the bowl area and includes some form of air holes. The windscreen prevents wind from increasing the burn rate and temperature of the coals, and prevents ash and burning embers from blowing into the surrounding environment. This can also offer some limited protection from fire as it can prevent the coal from being ejected if the hookah is bumped.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 (prior art), the hookah includes one or more hoses. The hose, which can be a straight or slender flexible tube, allows smoke to be drawn by the user at a distance from the hookah. This allows the smoke to cool as it travels through the hose before being inhaled by the user. The end of the hose is typically fitted with a metal, wooden, or plastic mouthpiece of different shapes, sizes, colors or materials.

Hookahs are typically equipped with a purge valve that is connected to the cavity defined by the water base to purge stale smoke that has been sitting unused in the jar for a period of time. This purge valve can be a one-way valve, and is typically a simple ball bearing sitting over a port. The ball bearing seals the port by gravity alone and will open if positive pressure is created within the cavity by blowing into the hose. The bearing is held captive with a screw-on cover. The cover should be opened and the bearing and seat cleaned of residue and corrosion regularly to ensure proper sealing.

The body of the hookah sits on top of a water base, or sometimes referred to as water jar or vase. Inside the water base is positioned a down stem which hangs down below the level of the water in the water base. Smoke passes through the body of the hookah and out the down stem, where it bubbles through the water contained in the water base. The bubbling of the smoke through the water cools and humidifies the smoke.

Traditional hookahs also include a plate or ashtray that sits just below the bowl. The plate functions to catch ashes falling off the coals.

Hookahs can also include grommets placed between the bowl and the body, between the body's gasket and the water jar, and between the body and the hose. The grommets, although not essential, will help to seal the joints between the parts, therefore decreasing the amount of air coming in and maximizing the smoke breathed in. Other materials, such as paper or tape, can be used in the place of grommets.

A diffuser can be attached to the bottom of the stem of the hookah to make a smoother smoke and a subdued noise. The diffuser is usually made of plastic and forms a grid pattern. By breaking the naturally larger bubbles coming from the pipe and up the water into smaller bubbles, the diffuser lowers the amount of suction or “pull” needed to continue bringing smoke into the cavity. This also cools the smoke down more efficiently. The diffuser is used as a luxury item for a better smoking experience and is not a required component.

The hookah can be used to smoke tobacco, or mu'assel, which is also sometimes referred to as shisha. Mu'assel is a syrupy tobacco mix that includes molasses and vegetable glycerol as a moisturizer. Mu'assel can come in different flavors. Typical flavors of mu'assel include apple, grape, guava, lemon, mint, as well as many other fruit based mixes. Non-tobacco-based mu'assel is also available in certain areas where tobacco smoking is not allowed.

Charcoal is the source of energy to produce heat that will be transferred to the tobacco inside the bowl. Since the glycerol is used to moisturize the tobacco and then to produce smoke, the charcoal is lit and used to generate heat above the boiling point of glycerol, which is about 290° C.

A cross-section view of a traditional hookah is provided in FIG. 1. The water jar at the bottom of the hookah is filled with water to a level that is sufficient to partially submerge the body tube, which is sealed tightly to the water jar. Increasing the amount of water within the water jar will increase the inhalation force needed to use the hookah. Tobacco or tobacco-free molasses is then placed inside the bowl at the top of the hookah. Often the bowl is covered with perforated tin foil or a metal screen, on which the coals are placed. The foil or screen separates the coal and the tobacco, which minimizes inhalation of coal ash with the smoke and reduces the temperature the tobacco is exposed to. This prevents the coals from directly burning the tobacco.

When a user inhales through the hose of the hookah, air is pulled through the charcoal and into the bowl that holds the tobacco. The air is heated by the charcoal, which typically vaporizes the tobacco without burning it. The vapor is then passed down through the body tube that extends into the water, and into the water jar. The vapor then bubbles up through the water, which causes the vapor to lose heat, and fills the top part of the water jar. When a user inhales from the hose, which is connected to the top part of the water jar, smoke passes into the user, and the change in pressure in the jar pulls more air through the charcoal, thus continuing the process.

If the hookah has been lit and smoked but has not been inhaled for an extended period of time, the smoke inside the water jar can become stale and undesirable. Stale smoke can be expelled through the purge valve, if present. This one-way valve is opened by positive pressure created by gently blowing into the hose. The one-way valve will not function on a multiple-hose hookah unless all other hoses are plugged. Sometimes one-way valves are put in the hose sockets to avoid the need to manually plug hoses.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present invention includes a puck unit configured to receive a tobacco-like consumable product for use in a hookah assembly. The puck unit comprises a puck base that includes a body that defines an exterior surface, an interior side surface opposite the exterior surface, and an interior base surface that defines a plurality of base perforations that extend through the interior base surface. The interior base surface and the interior side surface at least partially define a cavity that is configured to receive the tobacco-like consumable product. The puck unit further comprises a puck lid releasably attached to the puck base. The puck lid defines an upper surface and a plurality of lid perforations that extend through the puck lid. The upper surface partially defines the cavity when the puck lid is attached to the puck base.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a hookah bowl system configured to attach to a body of a hookah assembly. The hookah bowl system comprises a puck unit comprising a puck base that includes a body that defines an exterior surface, an interior side surface opposite the exterior surface, and an interior base surface that defines a plurality of base perforations that extend through the interior base surface. The interior base surface and the interior side surface at least partially define a cavity that is configured to receive a tobacco-like consumable product. The puck unit further comprises a puck lid releasably attached to the puck base. The puck lid defines an upper surface and a plurality of lid perforations that extend through the puck lid. The upper surface partially defines the cavity when the puck lid is attached to the puck base. The hookah bowl system further comprises a puck housing defining a base surface and a side surface. The base surface and the side surface define a cavity that is configured to at least partially receive the puck unit.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a hookah water pipe assembly configured to receive a tobacco-like consumable product. The hookah water pipe assembly comprises a water jar defining a cavity that is configured to contain water. The hookah water pipe assembly also comprises a hookah body defining an internal bore. A portion of the hookah body extends into the water jar such that the internal bore is in fluid communication with the cavity of the water jar. Additionally, the hookah water pipe assembly comprises a puck housing defining a base surface and a side surface. The base surface and the side surface define a cavity. The hookah water pipe assembly also includes a puck unit configured to be at least partially received in the cavity of the puck housing. The puck unit comprises a puck base including a body that defines an exterior surface, an interior side surface opposite the exterior surface, and an interior base surface that defines a plurality of base perforations that extend through the interior base surface. The interior base surface and the interior side surface at least partially define a cavity that is configured to receive a tobacco-like consumable product. The puck unit further comprises a puck lid releasably attached to the puck base, the puck lid defining an upper surface and a plurality of lid perforations that extend through the puck lid. The upper surface partially defines the cavity when the puck lid is attached to the puck base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. The drawings show illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art hookah;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a hookah bowl system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is an alternative perspective view of the hookah bowl system illustrated in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the hookah bowl system illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B;

FIG. 4 is an alternative exploded view of the hookah bowl system illustrated in FIG. 2A, with the puck lid attached to the puck base;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the hookah bowl system illustrated in FIG. 2A during a first step in a flipping operation;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the hookah bowl system illustrated in FIG. 5A during a second step in the flipping operation;

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the hookah bowl system illustrated in FIG. 5B during a third step in the flipping operation;

FIG. 5D is a perspective view of the hookah bowl system illustrated in FIG. 5C during a fourth step in the flipping operation;

FIG. 6A is an exploded view of the hookah bowl system illustrated in FIG. 2A, with the handle cover engaged with the handle;

FIG. 6B is an alternative exploded view of the hookah bowl system illustrated in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is an exploded view of the hookah bowl system illustrated in FIG. 2A, without the puck base;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the hookah bowl system illustrated in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of the hookah bowl system illustrated in FIG. 7A; and

FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view of the hookah bowl system illustrated in FIG. 7C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying figures and examples, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, applications, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “plurality,” as used herein, means more than one. When a range of values is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. All ranges are inclusive and combinable

It is to be appreciated that certain features of the invention which are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, can also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, can also be provided separately or in any subcombination. Further, reference to values stated in ranges includes each and every value within that range.

With reference to FIGS. 2A-2B, a hookah bowl system 10 of an embodiment of the present application can include a puck unit 20. The puck unit 20 can include a puck base 30 and a puck lid 23. The hookah bowl system 10 can also include a puck handle assembly 60 that can be releasably coupled to the hookah bowl system 10, as will be discussed further below. The puck handle assembly 60 can be releasably coupled to the puck base 30, or alternatively can be releasably coupled to the puck lid 23. Additionally, the puck handle assembly 60 can be integrally coupled to either the puck lid 23 or the puck base 30. The hookah bowl system 10 can also include a puck housing 40, which can be configured to receive the hookah bowl system 10.

Turning to FIGS. 3-4 and 6A-6B, the puck lid 23 can define a body 24, which can define an upper surface 27. The upper surface 27 of the puck lid 23 includes a plurality of perforations 26, which are configured to extend through the upper surface 27. The perforations 26 serve to provide air to the interior of the puck unit 20, as will be described further below. The perforations 26 can be round, oval, square, or any other shape as desired. Additionally, the perforations 26 can include any number of perforations as desired, which can be arranged in a variety of configurations. In FIG. 3, the perforations 26 define a circular arrangement on the upper surface 27 of the puck lid 23. In this circular arrangement, no perforations are defined by a central region of the upper surface 27 of the puck lid 23.

The puck base 30 can define an exterior surface 35, an interior side surface 31 a opposite the exterior surface 35, and an interior base surface 31 b. The interior side surface 31 a and the interior base surface 31 b can collectively define a cavity 33 that is configured to receive a tobacco-like consumable product, as will be described below. The interior base surface 31 b can define a plurality of perforations 37 that are configured to extend through the interior base surface 31 b. Like the perforations 26 of the puck lid 23 discussed above, the perforations 37 of the puck base 30 are configured to provide the cavity 33 of the puck unit 20 with air flow. The puck base 30 can also define a threading 39 that is configured to engage a corresponding threading 29 (FIG. 6B) defined by the puck lid 23.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3-4 and 6A-6B, the puck handle assembly 60 is shown as including a puck handle 63 and a handle cover 66. The handle cover 66 is disposed over the puck handle 63 such that a user can safely and comfortably grasp the puck handle assembly 60 when the hookah bowl system 10 is hot. The handle cover 66 can be comprised of a polymer, such as silicone, or a variety of other materials, such as rubber. The puck handle 63 can be releasably coupled to the puck unit 20, through a threading defined by the puck handle 63 that is receivable in a threaded hole defined by the puck unit 20, or otherwise.

The hookah bowl system 10 can further include an O-ring 70 that is configured to be disposed between the puck unit 20 and the puck housing 40. The O-ring 70 can be formed from a non-fume emitting, high temperature rubber, silicone, metal, or a variety of other materials as desired. The O-ring 70 can serve to ensure that a vacuum seal exists between the puck housing 40 and the puck unit 20, as well as to thermally insulate the puck housing 40 from the puck unit 20.

The puck housing 40 can include a body 41 that defines a side surface 43 a and a base surface 43 b that can collectively define a cavity 46. The cavity 46 can be configured to receive the puck unit 20 when the hookah bowl system 10 is fully assembled. The body 41 of the puck housing 40 can define a ledge 45 that is raised from the base surface 43 b of the puck housing 40, and extends around the base surface 43 b. The ledge 45 can receive the O-ring 70 when the hookah bowl system 10 is in a fully assembled configuration, such that the O-ring 70 is elevated above the base surface 43 b. A center of the body 41 of the puck housing 40 can define a central bore 47 that extends through the body 41. The central bore 47 of the puck housing 40 is configured to receive a flow of air that travels through the puck unit 20, as will be discussed below.

Continuing to FIGS. 5A-5D, the operation of the hookah bowl system 10 will be described further. First, a tobacco-like consumable product, such as shisha or mu'assel, is placed into the puck base 30. Then the puck lid 23 is coupled to the puck base 30, possibly through the engagement of the threading 29 of the puck lid 23 with the threading 39 of the puck base 30. Then, the puck unit 20 is inserted into the puck housing 40, as shown in FIG. 5A. In this embodiment, the puck unit 20 is inserted into the puck housing 40 such that the puck base 30 faces the puck housing 40. Alternatively, the puck unit 20 can be inserted into the puck housing 40 such that the puck lid 23 faces the puck housing 40. During the use of the hookah bowl system 10, certain sides of the tobacco-like consumable product contained within the puck unit 20 can smoke faster than other sides. As such, the user can wish to flip the puck unit 10 during use of the hookah bowl system 10 to access the unsmoked portion of the tobacco-like consumable product. This avoids waste of the product and ensures a better smoking experience. As such, the user can grasp the puck unit 20 by the puck handle assembly 60, as shown in FIG. 5B, and lift the puck unit 20 away from the puck housing 40. While the puck unit 20 is not received by the puck housing 40, the user can flip the puck unit 20 such that the puck lid 23 is now facing the puck housing 40 (FIG. 5C). In a situation where the puck lid 23 was initially facing the puck housing 40, the puck base 30 will now be facing the puck housing 40. Then, the puck unit 20 is placed back into engagement with the puck housing 40, and the user can continue use of the hookah bowl system 10.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7D, the user may not wish to use the entire puck unit 20. In this embodiment, the user places the tobacco-like consumable product into the puck housing 40, and covers the tobacco-like consumable product with the puck lid 23. The user can place the coals directly on top of the puck lid 23.

In use, the hookah bowl system 10 can be attached to a hookah body (not pictured). After a user inserts a tobacco-like consumable product into the puck unit 20, the user places the puck unit 20 on top of the puck housing 40. Then, a user can light coals and place them on top of the puck unit 20. The user can use an optional windscreen to prevent the coals from being ejected from the hookah. The user then inhales through a hose of the hookah. When a user inhales through the hose, air is pulled through the charcoal, through the perforations 26 of the puck unit 20, and into the puck unit 20 that holds the tobacco. The air is heated by the charcoal, which typically vaporizes the tobacco without burning it. The vapor is then passed down through the perforations 37 of the puck base 30, through the central bore 47 of the puck housing 40, and through a body tube of the hookah that extends into water contained by a water jar. The vapor then bubbles up through the water, which causes the vapor to lose heat, and fills the top part of the water jar. When a user inhales from the hose, which is connected to the top part of the water jar, smoke passes into the user, and the change in pressure in the jar pulls more air through the charcoal, thus continuing the process.

The hookah bowl system 10 disclosed herein can be formed from a variety of materials. Except for the O-ring 70, each element of the hookah bowl system 10 can be formed of ceramic or metal, for example. In particular, elements of the hookah bowl system can be formed from aluminum. The elements of the hookah bowl system 10 can be formed from any manufacturing method as desired, such as melt molding, injection casting, cast molding, and 3D printing.

The present disclosure is described herein using a limited number of embodiments. These specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure as otherwise described and claimed herein. Modification and variations from the described embodiments exist. More specifically, the examples included are given as a specific illustration of embodiments of the claimed disclosure. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details set forth in the examples, and that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made without departing form the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed:
 1. A puck unit configured to receive a tobacco-like consumable product for use in a hookah assembly, the puck unit comprising: a puck base including a body that defines an exterior surface, an interior side surface opposite the exterior surface, and an interior base surface that defines a plurality of base perforations that extend through the interior base surface, wherein the interior base surface and the interior side surface at least partially define a cavity that is configured to receive the tobacco-like consumable product; and a puck lid releasably attached to the puck base, the puck lid defining an upper surface and a plurality of lid perforations that extend through the puck lid, wherein the upper surface partially defines the cavity when the puck lid is attached to the puck base.
 2. The puck unit of claim 1, further comprising a puck handle assembly releasably coupled to the puck base.
 3. The puck unit of claim 2, wherein the puck handle assembly includes a puck handle and a handle cover releasably coupled to the puck handle.
 4. The puck unit of claim 3, wherein the handle cover is comprised of silicone.
 5. The puck unit of claim 1, wherein the puck base defines an external threading, and the puck lid defines an internal threading, wherein the external threading of the puck base is configured to releasably engage the internal threading of the puck lid.
 6. A hookah bowl system configured to attach to a body of a hookah assembly, the hookah bowl system comprising: a puck unit comprising: a puck base including a body that defines an exterior surface, an interior side surface opposite the exterior surface, and an interior base surface that defines a plurality of base perforations that extend through the interior base surface, wherein the interior base surface and the interior side surface at least partially define a cavity that is configured to receive a tobacco-like consumable product; and a puck lid releasably attached to the puck base, the puck lid defining an upper surface and a plurality of lid perforations that extend through the puck lid, wherein the upper surface partially defines the cavity when the puck lid is attached to the puck base; and a puck housing defining a base surface and a side surface, wherein the base surface and the side surface define a cavity that is configured to at least partially receive the puck unit.
 7. The hookah bowl system of claim 6, wherein the puck unit is configured to be received in the cavity such that the upper surface of the puck lid is positioned between the interior base surface of the puck base and the base surface of the puck housing.
 8. The hookah bowl system of claim 6, wherein the puck unit is configured to be received in the cavity such that the interior base surface of the puck base is positioned between the upper surface of the puck lid and the base surface of the puck housing.
 9. The puck unit of claim 6, further comprising a puck handle assembly releasably coupled to the puck base.
 10. The puck unit of claim 7, wherein the puck handle assembly includes a puck handle and a handle cover releasably coupled to the puck handle.
 11. The puck unit of claim 10, wherein the handle cover is comprised of silicone.
 12. The puck unit of claim 6, further comprising an O-ring that is configured to be positioned between the puck unit and the puck housing.
 13. The puck unit of claim 12, wherein the O-ring is comprised of rubber.
 14. The puck unit of claim 12, wherein the O-ring is comprised of metal.
 15. The puck unit of claim 1, wherein the puck base defines an external threading, and the puck lid defines an internal threading, wherein the external threading of the puck base is configured to releasably engage the internal threading of the puck lid.
 16. A hookah water pipe assembly configured to receive a tobacco-like consumable product, the hookah water pipe assembly comprising: a water jar defining a cavity that is configured to contain water; a hookah body defining an internal bore, wherein a portion of the hookah body extends into the water jar such that the internal bore is in fluid communication with the cavity of the water jar; a puck housing defining a base surface and a side surface, wherein the base surface and the side surface define a cavity; and a puck unit configured to be at least partially received in the cavity of the puck housing, the puck unit comprising: a puck base including a body that defines an exterior surface, an interior side surface opposite the exterior surface, and an interior base surface that defines a plurality of base perforations that extend through the interior base surface, wherein the interior base surface and the interior side surface at least partially define a cavity that is configured to receive a tobacco-like consumable product; and a puck lid releasably attached to the puck base, the puck lid defining an upper surface and a plurality of lid perforations that extend through the puck lid, wherein the upper surface partially defines the cavity when the puck lid is attached to the puck base.
 17. The hookah water pipe assembly of claim 16, further including at least one hose attached to the hookah body, wherein the at least one hose is in fluid communication with the cavity of the water jar.
 18. The hookah water pipe assembly of claim 17, wherein the at least one hose is a plurality of hoses.
 19. The hookah bowl system of claim 16, wherein the puck unit is configured to be received in the cavity such that the upper surface of the puck lid is positioned between the interior base surface of the puck base and the base surface of the puck housing.
 20. The hookah bowl system of claim 16, wherein the puck unit is configured to be received in the cavity such that the interior base surface of the puck base is positioned between the upper surface of the puck lid and the base surface of the puck housing. 